Injector

ABSTRACT

An injector including a syringe arranged along a longitudinal axis, a removable cover for removable engagement with the syringe and a cover removal assembly including an outer portion which is engagable by a user and is movable axially in a cover disengagement direction along an axial travel path with respect to the longitudinal axis and an inner portion which includes at least one engagement portion which is engagable with the removable cover, whereby axial movement of the inner portion in the cover disengagement direction removes the removable cover from the syringe, at least one of the outer portion and the inner portion being configured such as to provide an axially floating lost motion engagement between the outer portion and the inner portion.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Reference is made to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/435,467 filed Jan. 24, 2011, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference and priority of which is hereby claimedpursuant to 37 CFR 1.78(a) (4) and (5)(i).

Reference is made to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.61/472,232, filed Apr. 6, 2011, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference and priority of which is hereby claimedpursuant to 37 CFR 1.78(a) (4) and (5)(i).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to injectors generally.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following patent publications are believed to represent the currentstate of the art:

-   U.S. Pat. No. 7,597,685;-   U.S. Patent Publication Nos. 2007/0156088; 2008/0009789;    2008/0249477 and 2010/0137810; and-   International Publication Nos. WO2008/029280 and WO2009/040601.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to provide an improved injector.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention an injector including a syringe arranged along alongitudinal axis, a removable cover for removable engagement with thesyringe and a cover removal assembly including an outer portion which isengagable by a user and is movable axially in a cover disengagementdirection along an axial travel path with respect to the longitudinalaxis and an inner portion which includes at least one engagement portionwhich is engagable with the removable cover, whereby axial movement ofthe inner portion in the cover disengagement direction removes theremovable cover from the syringe, at least one of the outer portion andthe inner portion being configured such as to provide an axiallyfloating lost motion engagement between the outer portion and the innerportion, whereby axial movement of the outer portion in the coverdisengagement direction produces corresponding axial movement of theinner portion in the cover disengagement direction along at least aportion of the axial travel path, the length of the portion of the axialtravel being a function of the relative axial positioning of theremovable cover and the syringe.

There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention an injector including a syringe arranged along alongitudinal axis, a removable cover for removable engagement with thesyringe and a cover removal assembly including an outer portion which isengagable by a user and is movable axially in a cover disengagementdirection along an axial travel path with respect to the longitudinalaxis and an inner portion which includes at least one engagement portionwhich is engagable with the removable cover, whereby axial movement ofthe inner portion in the cover disengagement direction removes theremovable cover from the syringe, the inner portion being configuredsuch as to limit the position of the at least one engagement portionrelative to the removable cover in a direction opposite to the coverdisengagement direction upon mutual engagement of the inner portion andthe removable cover.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention atleast one of the outer portion and the inner portion is configured suchas to provide an axially floating lost motion engagement between theouter portion and the inner portion thereby to take into accountvariations in the relative axial positioning of the removable cover andthe syringe and/or relative in the axial positioning of the cover andthe syringe with respect to one or more other parts of the injector suchas the housing, whereby axial movement of the outer portion in the coverdisengagement direction produces corresponding axial movement of theinner portion in the cover disengagement direction along at least aportion of the axial travel path, the length of the portion of the axialtravel path being a function of the relative axial positioning of thecover and the syringe.

It is an additional feature of an embodiment of the present inventionthat the axially floating motion may be advantageous in cases where thedevice is accidentally dropped on the outer portion. The above-describedaxially floating motion engagement between the outer portion and theinner portion may prevent transmission of the resulting impact to thesyringe and therefore preserve its integrity.

Preferably, the at least one engagement portion is positionable betweenthe removable cover and a portion of the syringe lying rearwardlythereof.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention theaxially floating lost motion engagement between the outer portion andthe inner portion accommodates variations in the relative axialpositioning of the cover and the syringe. Preferably, the axiallyfloating lost motion engagement between the outer portion and the innerportion accommodates manufacturing tolerances and variations in therelative axial positioning of multiple parts of the injector.

Preferably, the inner portion is configured such as to limit theposition of the at least one engagement portion relative to theremovable cover in a direction opposite to the cover disengagementdirection upon mutual engagement of the inner portion and the removablecover.

There is further provided in accordance with yet another preferredembodiment of the present invention an injector including a syringearranged along a longitudinal axis, a removable cover for removableengagement with the syringe and a cover remover which includes at leastone engagement portion which is engagable with the removable cover,whereby axial movement of the cover remover in a cover disengagementdirection removes the removable cover from the syringe, the coverremover being configured such as to limit the position of the at leastone engagement portion relative to the removable cover in a directionopposite to the cover disengagement direction upon mutual engagement ofthe cover remover and the removable cover. This structure may beadvantageous, for example, in cases where the cover remover is made fromplastic material and creep of the at least one engagement portion mayotherwise occur during storage of the device, thus possibly reducing thereliability of removal of the removable cover.

Preferably, the syringe includes a needle fixedly mounted therein.Additionally, the removable cover includes a removable needle covercovering the needle. Preferably, the removable needle cover includes arelatively rigid outer portion and a relatively resilient inner portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more fully appreciated from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a simplified exploded view illustration of an injectorconstructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are respective top and side view simplified assembledview illustrations of the injector of FIG. 1 in a pre-use operativeorientation;

FIG. 2C is a simplified sectional illustration of the injector of FIGS.2A & 2B, taken along lines IIC-IIC in FIG. 2B;

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C & 3D are, respectively, a simplified pictorialillustration of an inner portion of a cover removal assembly formingpart of the injector of FIGS. 1-2C, a simplified top view of the innerportion, a simplified side view of the inner portion and a simplifiedsectional illustration taken along lines IIID-IIID in FIG. 3C;

FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C & 4D are, respectively, a simplified pictorialillustration of an outer portion of a cover removal assembly formingpart of the injector of FIGS. 1-2C, a simplified side view of the outerportion, a simplified end view of the outer portion and a simplifiedsectional illustration taken along lines IVD-IVD in FIG. 4B;

FIG. 4E is a simplified partially cut away pictorial illustration of theouter portion shown in FIGS. 4A-4D;

FIGS. 5A & 5B are, respectively, a simplified side view pictorialillustration of the injector of FIGS. 1-2C and a simplified sectionalillustration, taken along lines VB-VB in FIG. 5A, of the inner and outerportions of the cover removal assembly, assembled in the injector in atypical pre-use operative orientation;

FIGS. 6A-6D are simplified sectional illustrations of the inner andouter portions of the cover removal assembly assembled in the injector,in four stages of cover removal for a shortest syringe length and atypically rearwardmost cover position;

FIGS. 7A-7D are simplified sectional illustrations of the inner andouter portions of the cover removal assembly assembled in the injector,in four stages of cover removal for a longest syringe length and atypically rearwardmost cover position;

FIGS. 8A-8D are simplified sectional illustrations of the inner andouter portions of the cover removal assembly assembled in the injector,in four stages of cover removal for a shortest syringe length and atypically forwardmost cover position;

FIG. 9 is a simplified illustration of complete cover disengagement fromthe injector; and

FIGS. 10A, 10B & 10C are, respectively, top and side view simplifiedillustrations of the injector of FIG. 9 following complete coverdisengagement from the injector and a simplified sectional illustrationof the injector of FIGS. 9-10B, taken along lines XC-XC in FIG. 10B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a simplified exploded viewillustration of an injector 1000 constructed and operative in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention, to FIGS. 2A and2B, which are respective top and side view simplified assembled viewillustrations of the injector of FIG. 1 in a pre-use operativeorientation, and to FIG. 2C, which is a simplified sectionalillustration of the injector of FIGS. 2A & 2B, taken along lines IIC-IICin FIG. 2B. Injector 1000 extends generally along an axis 1010.

The injector 1000 comprises a needle guard element 1030, which ispositioned by a compression spring 1032 within a forward end of aforward housing 1034, having a forward edge 1036. The forward housing1034 is operative to engage, at a front end thereof, a cover removalassembly 1038, including an outer portion 1039 and an inner portion1040.

A syringe 1041, including a rear flange 1042 and a forward-facingsurface 1043 and having a hypodermic needle 1044 fixedly mountedtherein, which needle is covered by a removable needle cover 1045, suchas a rigid needle shield (RNS), is operatively engaged by a plunger 1046arranged for axial motion along axis 1010. The removable needle cover1045 preferably includes a relatively rigid outer portion 1047 and arelatively resilient inner portion 1048. Relatively rigid outer portion1047 is formed with a circumferential rearward facing edge 1049 and aforward surface 1050 having an aperture 1051. Syringe 1041 and plunger1046 are preferably located within the forward housing 1034. Syringe1041 may be a conventional syringe, such as a commercially availablesyringe sold under the catalog designation BD-Hypak™ or may be any othersuitable syringe or cartridge. It is appreciated that the length ofconventional syringes typically varies within manufacturing tolerancesof +/−0.5 mm. It is also appreciated that the axial position of theremovable needle cover 1045 relative to the rear flange 1042 typicallyvaries within manufacturing tolerances of +/−1.3 mm. Various othermanufacturing tolerances, which may affect the axial position of theremovable needle cover 1045 relative to the forward housing 1034, mayaccumulate to a total of +/−1.1 mm. It is appreciated that theabove-referenced tolerances are merely exemplary inasmuch as othersyringes may have different tolerances.

Plunger 1046 selectably engages a selectable driving assembly 1057,which includes a selectable driving element 1058 and a pair ofelastomeric motion damping elements 1059. Selectable driving assembly1057 is preferably at least partially seated within a rear housing 1060,forward of a main compression spring 1062, also seated within rearhousing 1060. The main compression spring 1062 provides selectableforward axial displacement to the selectable driving assembly 1057.Selectable operation of plunger 1046 by selectable driving assembly 1057causes the plunger 1046 to inject liquid contents of syringe 1041through hypodermic needle 1044.

The rear housing 1060 has associated therewith an actuation button 1070,operative to selectably actuate operation of selectable driving assembly1057. Within rear housing 1060 are seated a rear end element 1080,operative to seal the rear end of the rear housing 1060, and a plungerlocking element 1090, cooperative with rear end element 1080 andoperative to lock the plunger 1046 when liquid contents of the syringe1041 should not be injected through needle 1044.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C & 3D, which are, respectively,a simplified pictorial illustration of an inner portion of a coverremoval assembly forming part of the injector of FIGS. 1-2C, asimplified top view of the inner portion, a simplified side view of theinner portion and a simplified sectional illustration taken along linesIIID-IIID in FIG. 3C.

The inner portion 1040 preferably is formed as a unitary, one pieceinjection molded element and includes a generally circular cylindricalbase portion 1100 having a rearward-facing surface 1101. Alternatively,inner portion 1040 can be assembled from multiple parts. From respectiveoppositely facing locations 1102 and 1104 on an outer surface 1106thereof extend a pair of mutually facing identical flexible arms 1110.Arms 1110 extend generally axially parallel to a longitudinal axis 1111.

Each arm 1110 includes a pair of mutually spaced axial base portions1112 which extend outwardly and axially from base portion 1100, a mainarm portion 1114, a narrowed portion 1116 and an end portion 1118. Eachend portion 1118 preferably includes an engagement portion, preferablyin the form of a pair of inner facing teeth 1120, each having a taperedrearward facing surface 1122 and an oppositely tapered forward facingsurface 1124. Facing each of surfaces 1124 is a corresponding inwardlytapered rearward-facing end surface 1125 of main arm portion 1114 oneach side of narrowed portion 1116. Each end portion 1118 also includesrespectively inwardly and outwardly tapered outer and innerrearward-facing ends 1126 and 1128.

The base portion 1100 preferably includes a pair of axial slots 1130which extend forwardly from an axially rearward end thereof intermediatearms 1110.

A pair of inwardly facing teeth 1132 are disposed inwardly andrearwardly of cylindrical base portion 1100 intermediate each pair ofaxial base portions 1112. Each of teeth 1132 has a forwardly taperedradially inwardly and forwardly facing surface 1134 and a rearwardlyfacing surface 1136 which is generally perpendicular to axis 1111. Teeth1132 are each preferably supported on a bridge portion 1138 which liesoutwardly and forwardly of cylindrical base portion 1110, forwardlybridging each pair of axial base portions 1112.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C & 4D, which are, respectively,a simplified pictorial illustration of outer portion 1039 of coverremoval assembly 1038 forming part of the injector 1000 of FIGS. 1-2C, asimplified side view of outer portion 1039, a simplified end view ofouter portion 1039 and a simplified sectional illustration taken alonglines IVD-IVD in FIG. 4B, and to FIG. 4E, which is a simplifiedpartially cut away pictorial illustration of the outer portion shown inFIGS. 4A-4D.

As seen in FIGS. 4A-4E, the outer portion 1039 is in the form of agenerally cylindrical cap having a generally cylindrical overall shapewith a partially flattened circular cross-section perpendicular to anaxis 1200. As seen in FIGS. 4A-4E, outer portion 1039 includes a base1201, a pair of edge surfaces 1202, each having an array ofgrip-enhancing protrusions 1204, and a pair of side surfaces 1206, eachhaving a rearward-facing, generally square, cut out 1208 formed therein.Base 1201 has a forward facing surface 1209.

Base 1201 is preferably formed with a central aperture 1210 whichcommunicates with the interior of a generally circular cylindricalrearward-facing tubular portion 1212. Tubular portion 1212 has a taperedrearward-facing end surface 1216 and includes a pair of mutuallycircumferentially spaced axially-extending protrusions 1218 as well as apair of mutually circumferentially spaced, axially-extending recesses1220, generally evenly spaced between protrusions 1218. Recesses 1220each include a forward facing circumferential surface 1221 which isgenerally perpendicular to axis 1200.

Base 1201 is formed with a pair of arcuate apertures 1222 each of whichcommunicates with a corresponding recess 1220 and with the interior ofouter portion 1039 outside tubular portion 1212.

Needle guard element 1030 is preferably identical to that shown in FIGS.65-67B of Published PCT Patent Application WO 2008/047372 and describedtherein. The disclosure of Published PCT Patent Application WO2008/047372 is hereby incorporated by reference.

As described in detail in Published PCT Patent Application WO2008/047372, needle guard element 1030 includes a pair of restrictionelements, which prevent actuation of the device when a user pressesactuation button 1070 when the device is not pressed against the user'sbody. At a forward part of the needle guard element 1030 there isprovided a cylindrical portion having a front end including a generallycircular bore, through which the needle passes during injection of thedrug. Following injection, the cylindrical portion is displacedforwardly relative to the needle, thereby covering the needle andpreventing inadvertent needle pricks.

Forward housing 1034 is preferably identical to that shown in FIGS.68-70C of Published PCT Patent Application WO 2008/047372 and describedtherein. The disclosure of Published PCT Patent Application WO2008/047372 is hereby incorporated by reference.

As described in detail in Published PCT Patent Application WO2008/047372, the forward housing 1034 includes at a rear end thereof acutout portion 1402 adapted to accommodate the actuation button 1070.

As seen in FIG. 1, plunger 1046 includes a threaded protrusion 1470,which threadably engages a corresponding threaded socket (not shown)formed in a rear surface of the piston of syringe 1043. Rearwardly ofthreaded protrusion 1470 is a generally circular cylindrical portion1472 having a first cross sectional radius, followed by a relativelyshort circular cylindrical portion 1474 having a second cross sectionalradius greater than the first radius and defining a rearward facingshoulder 1475.

Rearward of portion 1474 is a third generally circular cylindricalportion 1476 having a third cross sectional radius, generally equal tothe first radius. Rearwardly of portion 1476 is formed a toothed portion1477, each tooth thereof having a generally transverse forwardly facingportion and a slanted rearwardly facing portion. The particular shape ofthe teeth of toothed portion 1477 enables rearward movement of theplunger 1046 at any time, and requires a specific configuration of thedevice in order to enable forward movement of the plunger 1046.

Plunger 1046 is preferably symmetrically disposed about a longitudinalaxis.

Selectable driving assembly 1057 is preferably identical to that shownin FIGS. 71-73B of Published PCT Patent Application WO 2008/047372 anddescribed therein. The disclosure of Published PCT Patent Application WO2008/047372 is hereby incorporated by reference.

As described in detail in Published PCT Patent Application WO2008/047372, the selectable driving assembly 1057 includes selectabledriving element 1058 and elastomeric motion damping elements 1059.Selectable driving element 1058 includes a rearward facing generallycylindrical portion and a pair of longitudinal arms. At a forward end ofeach of the longitudinal arms there is provided a first hinged finger,having formed thereon a pair of inwardly facing protrusions. Theinwardly facing protrusions are adapted to engage the flange 1042 ofsyringe 1041 to retain it in position prior to actuation of the injectorand to control its forward movement during actuation thereof.

Rearwardly of the first hinged finger on each of longitudinal arms is asecond hinged finger, having an inwardly facing protrusion, which isadapted to rearwardly displace the syringe 1041 following injection,when the needle guard element 1030 is rearwardly displaced.

Generally alongside and parallel to second hinged fingers there areformed third hinged fingers, each including an inwardly facing slantedprotrusion operative to forwardly displace the plunger 1046 duringinjection, and a pair of outwardly facing protrusions, which areoperative to inwardly bend the third hinged fingers during actuation andwhich engage the needle guard element 1030 and are operative to displaceit forwardly as soon as the injector disengages the user's body.

A cylindrical portion of the selectable driving assembly 1057 includesprotrusions on opposite sides thereof, which are adapted to maintain theselectable driving assembly 1057 in place when the injector is in itsstorage position, by abutting against the actuation button 1070. Thecylindrical portion also has seated therein motion damping elements 1059which engage an internal surface of the rear housing 1060, and thus areoperative to slow the forward movement of the selectable drivingassembly 1057, thereby slowing the forward movement of the syringe 1041and plunger 1046 during injection.

Rear housing 1060 is preferably identical to that shown in FIGS. 74-76Cof Published PCT Patent Application WO 2008/047372 and describedtherein. The disclosure of Published PCT Patent Application WO2008/047372 is hereby incorporated by reference.

As described in detail in Published PCT Patent Application WO2008/047372, the rear housing 1060 preferably is an integrally formedelement, preferably injection molded of plastic and preferably has agenerally cylindrical configuration arranged about a longitudinal axis.The rear housing 1060 includes a tube, which includes a forward portionhaving an interiorly facing surface including four generally equallyspaced, longitudinally extending, guiding ribs. Also formed on theinteriorly facing surface are a pair of interiorly facing protrusionswhose width tapers in a forwardly facing direction to a point, thusdefining a generally triangular engagement surface for elastomericmotion damping elements 1059. Disposed adjacent the wide end of each ofthe protrusions are an inclined recess and a cylindrical recess, whichserve to guide elastomeric damping elements 1059 upstream of theirengagement with the protrusions.

Formed on a pair of generally equally spaced exteriorly facing surfacesof the tube are respective generally rectangular outwardly protrudingframes. Further protrusions are located interiorly of the respectiveframes and are centered adjacent rearward ends thereof. Theseprotrusions are accommodated in snap fit engagement sockets of theforward housing 1034 during factory assembly of the device, and therebymaintain the connection between the rear housing 1060 and the forwardhousing 1034. Formed in the tube adjacent a rearward end thereof are apair of side cutouts each having an undercut forward edge. Disposedforwardly of each of edges is a generally rectangular outwardly facingprotrusion.

Actuation button 1070 is preferably identical to that shown in FIGS.77A-79B of Published PCT Patent Application WO 2008/047372 and describedtherein. The disclosure of Published PCT Patent Application WO2008/047372 is hereby incorporated by reference.

Rear end element 1080 is preferably identical to that shown in FIGS.83-85C of Published PCT Patent Application WO 2008/047372 and describedtherein. The disclosure of Published PCT Patent Application WO2008/047372 is hereby incorporated by reference.

Plunger locking element 1090 is preferably identical to that shown inFIGS. 80-82B of Published PCT Patent Application WO 2008/047372 anddescribed therein. The disclosure of Published PCT Patent Application WO2008/047372 is hereby incorporated by reference.

Various further stages of typical use of the injector of FIGS. 1-2C areillustrated in FIGS. 86E-86L of Published PCT Patent Application WO2008/047372 and described therein. The disclosure of Published PCTPatent Application WO 2008/047372 is hereby incorporated by reference.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 5A and 5B, which are, respectively, asimplified side view pictorial illustration of the injector of FIGS.1-2C and a simplified sectional illustration of the inner and outerportions of the cover removal assembly, assembled in the injector in atypical pre-use operative orientation with respect to syringe 1041,needle 1044 and removable needle cover 1045. It is a particular featureof the present invention that the structure which will now be describedin detail with reference to FIG. 5B produces reliable removal of needlecover 1045 notwithstanding the above-described cumulative manufacturingtolerances relating to the various portions of the injector.

The illustration of FIG. 5B shows the syringe 1041 having a length alongaxis 1111, which is within its manufacturing tolerances as describedhereinabove but not at either extreme thereof. Similarly, theillustration of FIG. 5B shows axial placement of the removable needlecover 1045 along axis 1111 at a location relative to the syringe 1041which is within its manufacturing tolerances as described hereinabovebut not at either extreme thereof.

As seen in FIG. 5B, when the injector is in a typical pre-use operativeorientation, forward-facing surface 1043 is positioned along axis 1111forwardly of and at a typical separation of 7.5 mm from forward edge1036 of forward housing 1034. Rearward facing edge 1049 of relativelyrigid outer portion 1047 of removable needle cover 1045 is positionedalong axis 1111 forwardly of and at a typical separation of 8.8 mm fromforward edge 1036 of forward housing 1034.

Rearward facing surface 1101 of inner portion 1040 lies up againstforward facing surface 1050 of the relatively rigid outer portion 1047of removable needle cover 1045 and is positioned along axis 1111rearwardly of and at a typical separation of 9.4 mm from forward-facingsurface 1209 of base 1201 of outer portion 1039. Forward-facing surface1209 of base 1201 of outer portion 1039 is positioned along axis 1111forwardly of and at a typical separation of 44.6 mm from forward edge1036 of forward housing 1034.

Cylindrical base portion 1100 of inner portion 1040 partially overliesgenerally circular cylindrical rearward-facing tubular portion 1212 ofouter portion 1039, in axially sliding relationship therewith, withprotrusions 1218 (not shown) of outer portion 1039 lying in axialslidable engagement with corresponding axial slots 1130 of inner portion1040. Teeth 1132 of inner portion 1040 lie in axial slidable engagementwith corresponding recesses 1220 of outer portion 1039.

It is seen that teeth 1120 of inner portion 1040 lie immediately behindand in engagement with rearward facing edge 1049 of removable needlecover 1045. It is also seen that forward facing circumferential surface1221 of outer portion 1039 lies rearwardly of and is spaced fromrearwardly facing surfaces 1136 of teeth 1132 of inner portion 1040.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 6A-6D, which are simplified sectionalillustrations of the inner and outer portions of the cover removalassembly assembled in the injector, in four stages of cover removal fora shortest syringe length and a typically rearwardmost cover position.

FIG. 6A shows the syringe 1041 having a length along axis 1111, which isthe shortest possible length which is within its manufacturingtolerances as described hereinabove. Similarly, FIG. 6A shows axialplacement of the removable needle cover 1045 along axis 1111 at therearwardmost location relative to the syringe 1041 which is within itsmanufacturing tolerances as described hereinabove.

As seen in FIG. 6A, when the injector is in a typical pre-use operativeorientation, forward-facing surface 1043 is positioned along axis 1111forwardly of and at a typical separation of 4.8 mm from forward edge1036 of forward housing 1034. Rearward facing edge 1049 of relativelyrigid outer portion 1047 of removable needle cover 1045 is positionedalong axis 1111 forwardly of and at a typical separation of 5.4 mm fromforward edge 1036 of forward housing 1034.

Rearward facing surface 1101 of inner portion 1040 lies up againstforward facing surface 1050 of the relatively rigid outer portion 1047of removable needle cover 1045 and is positioned along axis 1111rearwardly of and at a typical separation of 12.8 mm from forward-facingsurface 1209 of base 1201 of outer portion 1039. Forward-facing surface1209 of base 1201 of outer portion 1039 is positioned along axis 1111forwardly of and at a typical separation of 44.6 mm from forward edge1036 of forward housing 1034.

Cylindrical base portion 1100 of inner portion 1040 partially overliesgenerally circular cylindrical rearward-facing tubular portion 1212 ofouter portion 1039, in axially sliding relationship therewith, withprotrusions 1218 (not shown) of outer portion 1039 lying in axialslidable engagement with corresponding axial slots 1130 of inner portion1040. Teeth 1132 of inner portion 1040 lie in axial slidable engagementwith corresponding recesses 1220 of outer portion 1039.

It is seen that forward facing circumferential surface 1221 liesrearwardly of and in touching engagement with rearwardly facing surfaces1136 of teeth 1132 of inner portion 1040.

Turning now to FIG. 6B, it is seen that cover removal assembly 1038 ismoved forwardly with respect to the forward housing 1034, to the left inthe sense of FIGS. 6A-6D, such that forward-facing surface 1209 of base1201 of outer portion 1039 is positioned along axis 1111 at a typicalseparation of 47 mm from forward edge 1036 of forward housing 1034. Theaxial separation between forward-facing surface 1043 and forward edge1036 of forward housing 1034 remains at a typical separation of 4.8 mm.

In this case, due to the extremely short length of the syringe and therearwardmost cover position, there is no axially floating lost motionengagement between outer portion 1039 and inner portion 1040, asrearwardly facing surfaces 1136 of teeth 1132 of inner portion 1040 areengaged by and pulled forward by forward facing circumferential surface1221 of outer portion 1039 causing a corresponding movement of the innerportion 1040 with the removable needle cover 1045 therewithin and thusthe axial separation along axis 1111 of rearward facing edge 1049 ofrelatively rigid outer portion 1047 of removable needle cover 1045 fromforward edge 1036 of forward housing 1034 increases to 7.8 mm.

The axial separation between rearward facing surface 1101 of innerportion 1040 and forward-facing surface 1209 of base 1201 of outerportion 1039 remains 12.8 mm.

Turning now to FIG. 6C, it is seen that cover removal assembly 1038 ismoved further forwardly with respect to the forward housing 1034, to theleft in the sense of FIGS. 6A-6D, such that forward-facing surface 1209of base 1201 of outer portion 1039 is positioned along axis 1111 at atypical separation of 49.4 mm from forward edge 1036 of forward housing1034.

In this case, due to the extremely short length of the syringe and therearwardmost cover position, there is no axially floating lost motionengagement between outer portion 1039 and inner portion 1040 and thusthe axial separation along axis 1111 of rearward facing edge 1049 ofrelatively rigid outer portion 1047 of removable needle cover 1045 fromforward edge 1036 of forward housing 1034 increases to 10.2 mm.

The axial separation between rearward facing surface 1101 of innerportion 1040 and forward-facing surface 1209 of base 1201 of outerportion 1039 remains 12.8 mm.

Turning now to FIG. 6D, it is seen that cover removal assembly 1038 ismoved further forwardly with respect to the forward housing 1034, to theleft in the sense of FIGS. 6A-6D, such that forward-facing surface 1209of base 1201 of outer portion 1039 is positioned along axis 1111 at atypical separation of 53 mm from forward edge 1036 of forward housing1034.

There is no axially floating lost motion engagement between outerportion 1039 and inner portion 1040 and thus the axial separation alongaxis 1111 of rearward facing edge 1049 of relatively rigid outer portion1047 of removable needle cover 1045 from forward edge 1036 of forwardhousing 1034 increases to 13.8 mm.

The axial separation between rearward facing surface 1101 of innerportion 1040 and forward-facing surface 1209 of base 1201 of outerportion 1039 remains 12.8 mm.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 7A-7D, which are simplified sectionalillustrations of the inner and outer portions of the cover removalassembly assembled in the injector, in four stages of cover removal fora longest syringe length and a typically rearwardmost cover position.

FIG. 7A shows the syringe 1041 having a length along axis 1111, which isthe longest possible length which is within its manufacturing tolerancesas described hereinabove. Similarly, FIG. 7A shows axial placement ofthe removable needle cover 1045 along axis 1111 at the rearwardmostlocation relative to the syringe 1041 which is within its manufacturingtolerances as described hereinabove.

As seen in FIG. 7A, when the injector is in a typical pre-use operativeorientation, forward-facing surface 1043 is positioned along axis 1111forwardly of and at a typical separation of 9.9 mm from forward edge1036 of forward housing 1034. Rearward facing edge 1049 of relativelyrigid outer portion 1047 of removable needle cover 1045 is positionedalong axis 1111 forwardly of and at a typical separation of 10.2 mm fromforward edge 1036 of forward housing 1034.

Rearward facing surface 1101 of inner portion 1040 lies up againstforward facing surface 1050 of the relatively rigid outer portion 1047of removable needle cover 1045 and is positioned along axis 1111rearwardly of and at a typical separation of 8 mm from forward-facingsurface 1209 of base 1201 of outer portion 1039. Forward-facing surface1209 of base 1201 of outer portion 1039 is positioned along axis 1111forwardly of and at a typical separation of 44.6 mm from forward edge1036 of forward housing 1034.

Cylindrical base portion 1100 of inner portion 1040 partially overliesgenerally circular cylindrical rearward-facing tubular portion 1212 ofouter portion 1039, in axially sliding relationship therewith, withprotrusions 1218 (not shown) of outer portion 1039 lying in axialslidable engagement with corresponding axial slots 1130 of inner portion1040. Teeth 1132 of inner portion 1040 lie in axial slidable engagementwith corresponding recesses 1220 of outer portion 1039. It is seen thatforward facing circumferential surface 1221 of outer portion 1039 liesrearwardly and spaced from rearwardly facing surfaces 1136 of teeth 1132of inner portion 1040.

Turning now to FIG. 7B, it is seen that cover removal assembly 1038 ismoved forwardly with respect to the forward housing 1034, to the left inthe sense of FIGS. 7A-7D, such that forward-facing surface 1209 of base1201 of outer portion 1039 is positioned along axis 1111 at a typicalseparation of 47 mm from forward edge 1036 of forward housing 1034. Theaxial separation between forward-facing surface 1043 and forward edge1036 of forward housing 1034 remains at a typical separation of 9.9 mm.

Due to the axially floating lost motion engagement between outer portion1039 and inner portion 1040, this forward motion does not change theaxial separation along axis 1111 between rearward facing edge 1049 ofrelatively rigid outer portion 1047 of removable needle cover 1045 andforward edge 1036 of forward housing 1034, which remains at a typicalseparation of 10.2 mm.

The axial separation between rearward facing surface 1101 of innerportion 1040 and forward-facing surface 1209 of base 1201 of outerportion 1039 increases to 10.4 mm.

Turning now to FIG. 7C, it is seen that cover removal assembly 1038 ismoved further forwardly with respect to the forward housing 1034, to theleft in the sense of FIGS. 7A-7D, such that forward-facing surface 1209of base 1201 of outer portion 1039 is positioned along axis 1111 at atypical separation of 49.4 mm from forward edge 1036 of forward housing1034.

Due to the axially floating lost motion engagement between outer portion1039 and inner portion 1040, this forward motion does not change theaxial separation along axis 1111 between rearward facing edge 1049 ofrelatively rigid outer portion 1047 of removable needle cover 1045 andforward edge 1036 of forward housing 1034, which remains at a typicalseparation of 10.2 mm. It is seen that forward facing circumferentialsurface 1221 lies rearwardly of and in touching engagement withrearwardly facing surfaces 1136 of teeth 1132 of inner portion 1040.

The axial separation between rearward facing surface 1101 of innerportion 1040 and forward-facing surface 1209 of base 1201 of outerportion 1039 increases to 12.8 mm.

Turning now to FIG. 7D, it is seen that cover removal assembly 1038 ismoved further forwardly with respect to the forward housing 1034, to theleft in the sense of FIGS. 7A-7D, such that forward-facing surface 1209of base 1201 of outer portion 1039 is positioned along axis 1111 at atypical separation of 58.1 mm from forward edge 1036 of forward housing1034.

At this stage there is no remaining available axially floating lostmotion between outer portion 1039 and inner portion 1040 as rearwardlyfacing surfaces 1136 of teeth 1132 of inner portion 1040 are engaged byand pulled forward by forward facing circumferential surface 1221 ofouter portion 1039 causing a corresponding movement of the inner portion1040 with the removable needle cover 1045 therewithin and thus the axialseparation along axis 1111 of rearward facing edge 1049 of relativelyrigid outer portion 1047 of removable needle cover 1045 from forwardedge 1036 of forward housing 1034 increases to 18.9 mm.

The axial separation between rearward facing surface 1101 of innerportion 1040 and forward-facing surface 1209 of base 1201 of outerportion 1039 remains 12.8 mm.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 8A-8D, which are simplified sectionalillustrations of the inner and outer portions of the cover removalassembly assembled in the injector in four stages of cover removal for ashortest syringe length and a typically forwardmost cover position.

FIG. 8A shows the syringe 1041 having a length along axis 1111, which isthe shortest possible length which is within its manufacturingtolerances as described hereinabove. Similarly, FIG. 8A shows axialplacement of the removable needle cover 1045 along axis 1111 at theforwardmost location relative to the syringe 1041 which is within itsmanufacturing tolerances as described hereinabove.

As seen in FIG. 8A, when the injector is in a typical pre-use operativeorientation, forward-facing surface 1043 is positioned along axis 1111forwardly of and at a typical separation of 4.8 mm from forward edge1036 of forward housing 1034. Rearward facing edge 1049 of relativelyrigid outer portion 1047 of removable needle cover 1045 is positionedalong axis 1111 forwardly of and at a typical separation of 10.2 mm fromforward edge 1036 of forward housing 1034.

Rearward facing surface 1101 of inner portion 1040 lies up againstforward facing surface 1050 of the relatively rigid outer portion 1047of removable needle cover 1045 and is positioned along axis 1111rearwardly of and at a typical separation of 8 mm from forward-facingsurface 1209 of base 1201 of outer portion 1039. Forward-facing surface1209 of base 1201 of outer portion 1039 is positioned along axis 1111forwardly of and at a typical separation of 44.6 mm from forward edge1036 of forward housing 1034.

Cylindrical base portion 1100 of inner portion 1040 partially overliesgenerally circular cylindrical rearward-facing tubular portion 1212 ofouter portion 1039, in axially sliding relationship therewith, withprotrusions 1218 (not shown) of outer portion 1039 lying in axialslidable engagement with corresponding axial slots 1130 of inner portion1040. Teeth 1132 of inner portion 1040 lie in axial slidable engagementwith corresponding recesses 1220 of outer portion 1039. It is seen thatforward facing circumferential surface 1221 of outer portion 1039 liesrearwardly and spaced from rearwardly facing surfaces 1136 of teeth 1132of inner portion 1040.

Turning now to FIG. 8B, it is seen that cover removal assembly 1038 ismoved forwardly with respect to the forward housing 1034, to the left inthe sense of FIGS. 8A-8D, such that forward-facing surface 1209 of base1201 of outer portion 1039 is positioned along axis 1111 at a typicalseparation of 47 mm from forward edge 1036 of forward housing 1034. Theaxial separation between forward-facing surface 1043 and forward edge1036 of forward housing 1034 remains at a typical separation of 4.8 mm.

Due to the axially floating lost motion engagement between outer portion1039 and inner portion 1040, this forward motion does not change theaxial separation along axis 1111 between rearward facing edge 1049 ofrelatively rigid outer portion 1047 of removable needle cover 1045 andforward edge 1036 of forward housing 1034, which remains at a typicalseparation of 10.2 mm.

The axial separation between rearward facing surface 1101 of innerportion 1040 and forward-facing surface 1209 of base 1201 of outerportion 1039 increases to 10.4 mm.

Turning now to FIG. 8C, it is seen that cover removal assembly 1038 ismoved further forwardly with respect to the forward housing 1034, to theleft in the sense of FIGS. 8A-8D, such that forward-facing surface 1209of base 1201 of outer portion 1039 is positioned along axis 1111 at atypical separation of 49.4 mm from forward edge 1036 of forward housing1034.

Due to the axially floating lost motion engagement between outer portion1039 and inner portion 1040, this forward motion does not change theaxial separation along axis 1111 between rearward facing edge 1049 ofrelatively rigid outer portion 1047 of removable needle cover 1045 andforward edge 1036 of forward housing 1034, which remains at a typicalseparation of 10.2 mm. It is seen that forward facing circumferentialsurface 1221 lies rearwardly of and in touching engagement withrearwardly facing surfaces 1136 of teeth 1132 of inner portion 1040.

The axial separation between rearward facing surface 1101 of innerportion 1040 and forward-facing surface 1209 of base 1201 of outerportion 1039 increases to 12.8 mm.

Turning now to FIG. 8D, it is seen that cover removal assembly 1038 ismoved further forwardly with respect to the forward housing 1034, to theleft in the sense of FIGS. 8A-8D, such that forward-facing surface 1209of base 1201 of outer portion 1039 is positioned along axis 1111 at atypical separation of 53 mm from forward edge 1036 of forward housing1034.

At this stage there is no remaining available axially floating lostmotion between outer portion 1039 and inner portion 1040 as rearwardlyfacing surfaces 1136 of teeth 1132 of inner portion 1040 are engaged byand pulled forward by forward facing circumferential surface 1221 ofouter portion 1039 causing a corresponding movement of the inner portion1040 with the removable needle cover 1045 therewithin and thus the axialseparation along axis 1111 of rearward facing edge 1049 of relativelyrigid outer portion 1047 of removable needle cover 1045 from forwardedge 1036 of forward housing 1034 increases to 13.8 mm.

The axial separation between rearward facing surface 1101 of innerportion 1040 and forward-facing surface 1209 of base 1201 of outerportion 1039 remains 12.8 mm.

FIGS. 9-10C show complete disengagement of the cover removal assembly1038 and the removable needle cover 1045 from the reminder of theinjector.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the presentinvention is not limited to what has been particularly describedhereinabove. Rather the scope of the invention is intended to includeboth combinations and subcombinations of various features describedhereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof that wouldoccur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing and whichare not in the prior art.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An injector comprising: a syringe arrangedalong a longitudinal axis; a removable cover for removable engagementwith said syringe; and a cover removal assembly comprising: an outerportion which is engagable by a user and is movable axially in a coverdisengagement direction along an axial travel path with respect to saidlongitudinal axis; and an inner portion which includes at least oneengagement portion which is engagable with said removable cover, wherebyaxial movement of said inner portion in said cover disengagementdirection removes said removable cover from said syringe, said outerportion and said inner portion being movable relative to one another inan axial direction along said longitudinal axis, at least one of saidouter portion and said inner portion being configured such as to providean axially floating lost motion engagement between said outer portionand said inner portion, whereby axial movement of said outer portion insaid cover disengagement direction produces corresponding axial movementof said inner portion in said cover disengagement direction along atleast a portion of said axial travel path, the length of said portion ofsaid axial travel path being a function of the relative axialpositioning of said removable cover and said syringe.
 2. An injectoraccording to claim 1 and wherein said at least one engagement portion ispositionable between said removable cover and a portion of said syringelying rearwardly thereof.
 3. An injector according to claim 1 andwherein said syringe includes a needle fixedly mounted therein.
 4. Aninjector according to claim 3 and wherein said removable cover comprisesa removable needle cover covering said needle.
 5. An injector accordingto claim 4 and wherein said removable needle cover includes a relativelyrigid outer portion and a relatively resilient inner portion.
 6. Aninjector according to claim 1 and wherein said axially floating lostmotion engagement between said outer portion and said inner portionaccommodates variations in the relative axial positioning of the coverand the syringe.
 7. An injector according to claim 1 and wherein saidaxially floating lost motion engagement between said outer portion andsaid inner portion accommodates manufacturing tolerances and variationsin the relative axial positioning of multiple parts of said injector. 8.An injector according to claim 1 and wherein said inner portion isconfigured such as to limit the position of said at least one engagementportion relative to said removable cover in a direction opposite to saidcover disengagement direction upon mutual engagement of said innerportion and said removable cover.